The Sunday of the Prodigal Son affords us the opportunity to consider how much we value our ‘inheritance,’ our identity, in Christ. The prodigal demands his inheritance from his father (even before his father dies) and squanders it on riotous living. Having become a slave to his passions, there’s no sating them. Having starved his soul to give the passions their want, the prodigal is left starving, longing to eat the pig’s slop. He’s lost everything: his very identity has been squandered. When he “returns to himself,” that is, he repents, he recovers the truth of who he is—his father’s unworthy son—and he returns from the far country. This is the very ‘icon’ of repentance (Gk. metanoia), that is, of a “change of heart and mind.” The son, in his returning, sees himself worthy only of being one of his father’s hired servants. His prideful arrogance is gone; only the humility of one who has seen the emptiness of losing one’s true self, one’s true identity, remains. But, in this humility and repentance, he is restored. Likewise, our true identity is who we are in Christ, who we are as God’s adopted sons, called to glory and participation in the life of God the Holy Trinity. Fittingly, in many Orthodox icons of this Parable, the father is portrayed as Christ Himself, before whom we repent, to whom we return when we “come to ourselves,” through Holy Confession—recovering our true identity and being made fit and worthy for life with God in His eternal and heavenly Kingdom. In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
Important: 2018 Pledges and Commitments: If you have not yet offered your commitment for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $2500 total in monthly commitments. We need $3,500. To all for whom this Mission is dear, please give generously so we can continue to pay rent and other necessary expenses to provide for our church and her growth. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). Thank you & thanks be to God! The Mission Council
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30 Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
- Wed, Feb. 7, 6:45 p.m., 4th STUDY: On the Incarnation, St. Athanasius (4th century). This Week: “The Death of Christ and the Resurrection of the Body,” “The Refutation of the Jews.”
- Friday, Feb. 9, 5;30-7:30 p.m., February Catechumen/Inquirer Mtg.
- Sunday, Feb. 11, Annual Meeting following Trapeza of Meatfare
- Sat, Feb. 10, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School, Annual Meeting.
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Sunday, Feb. 18, Cheesefare, Expulsion from Paradise, Vespers of Forgiveness with Rite of Forgiveness following Trapeza
- Monday, Feb. 19—Beginning of Great Lent, 6:30 p.m. Canon of St. Andrew (M, T, Th,)
- Wed, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., 1st Presanctified Liturgy, Soup Supper
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the Chalice.
Monthly Giving—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has taken a big step of faith to move into our new church home, to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts, and make more room for new families and individuals. We need your help to afford our new space. Monthly pledges and giving are key to our sustainability and our growth.
TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we are not also drawing closer to each other. If we wish to grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship needs to be part of our life together in Christ. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
Prayer Requests: That our Mission grows “in spirit and in numbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Lois (Cynthia’s newly-reposed aunt), Joseph, Anthony.
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Marlena and baby, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Cynthia, Valerie, Annette, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
From the Fathers… Sinners that repent are still saved; both publicans and fornicators cleansed by repentance enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. The compassionate God still calls to Himself all that have turned away, and He awaits them and promises them mercy. The loving Father still receives His prodigal sons come back from a far country and He opens the doors of His house and clothes them in the best robe and gives them each a ring on their hand and shoes on their feet and commands all the saints to rejoice in them. (St. Tikhon of Zadonsk: Journey to Heaven; Part II: The Way of Salvation)
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 2
When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal,
Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
Troparion (The Meeting of our Lord) Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Full of Grace!
From thee shone the Sun of Righteousness, ^Christ our God,
enlightening those who sat in darkness.
Rejoice and be glad, O righteous Elder,
thou didst accept in thine arms the ^Redeemer of our souls,
Who grants us the Resurrection!
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseech you: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (from the Lenten Triodion)Tone 3
I have recklessly forgotten Thy glory, O Father;
and among sinners I have scattered the riches which Thou gavest me.
And now I cry to Thee as the Prodigal:
“I have sinned before Thee, O merciful Father;
receive me as a penitent, //and make me as one of Thy hired servants!”
Kontakion (The Meeting of our Lord) Tone 1
By Thy Nativity Thou didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb
and didst bless Simeon’s hands, ^O Christ God.
Now Thou hast come and saved us through love.
Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians,
O only Lover of Man!
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armies and ministers of the divine glory,//
princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of mankind;
ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy,//
O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
